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13h ago

Piastri Secures Sprint Pole With Record Lap at Spa, Hamilton to Start 18th

McLaren’s midseason strength is on display in the first sprint qualifying under Laurent Mekies’s Red Bull leadership.

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Overview

  • Oscar Piastri claimed pole for Saturday’s 15-lap sprint at Spa-Francorchamps by setting a lap-record 1:40.510 in sprint qualifying.
  • Max Verstappen split the McLaren drivers with a P2 lap, while Lando Norris secured third on the grid, 0.618 seconds behind Piastri.
  • Lewis Hamilton spun at the final chicane in SQ1 after a rear brake lock-up, relegating the Ferrari driver to an 18th-place start.
  • Red Bull competed under new team principal Laurent Mekies for the first time following Christian Horner’s dismissal earlier this month.
  • The sprint will award points to the top eight and determine Sunday’s grand prix grid, positioning Piastri to extend his eight-point championship lead.